Housing Disrepair Lawyer

Remedy Medical; Southend-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Southend-on-Sea seeks a dynamic housing lawyer to manage housing disrepair claims and provide legal guidance to client departments. The successful candidate will handle a caseload of around 90 cases, ensuring compliance with legal standards. Responsibilities include negotiating settlements, representing the council in court, and collaborating with other professionals. A qualified solicitor with relevant experience is required. This full-time role requires attending the office at least once a week.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with relevant experience in housing law and disrepair cases.
• Ability to manage a caseload effectively and collaborate with various stakeholders.
• Commitment to safeguarding and legal compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage housing disrepair claims and ensure legal compliance.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to clients.
• Negotiate settlements and represent in court hearings.
• Draft pleadings and legal documents.

Skills

Housing law expertise

Legal documentation drafting

Negotiation skills

Client advisory

Case management

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Job Purpose

The Council is seeking a dynamic housing lawyer with focus on housing disrepair.

The candidate will have a caseload of around 90 cases at various different stages of the legal process.

This is a full-time role, with office attendance required in the office at least once a week.

Duties

• Managing a high volume of housing disrepair claims, ensuring all matters comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Providing legal advice, assistance and guidance to Council client departments, Chief Officers and officers.
• Negotiating settlements as necessary.
• Representing the Local Authority in court hearings, such as directions and allocation hearings and instructing counsel as necessary.
• Drafting legal documentation pleadings and agreements.
• Collaborating with surveyors, contractors, and internal teams to resolve disrepair issues efficiently.
• Keeping up-to-date with housing law and relevant case law to ensure compliance and best practice.
• Undertaking any and all statutory and delegated duties as required.
• Advancing, promoting and assisting in the shaping and development of the delivery of Legal Services.
• Carrying out such other duties as may be allocated time to time by the Director Legal & Governance and Principal Solicitor.
• Developing and maintaining good relationships with internal and external partners and external professionals.
• Assisting with the training and supervision of junior staff or other officers within the legal department as required.
• Keeping informed of developments in areas and fields of law of immediate concern to the Council and advising the Council, Chief Officer, Senior Management, Client Departments, Officers Statutory Directors and Members as appropriate.
• Undertaking other duties commensurate with the grade, skills, knowledge and experience of the post holder.
• Ensuring compliance with the Council's record and information management policies and procedures.
• Demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor with previous relevant experience in this field.
• Willing to attend the office once a week.

All staff are expected to have regard and operate within the Council's commitment to equality and diversity and customer care.

All staff are expected to adhere to requirements of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and The Data Protection Act 2018 and comply with measures to protect the confidentiality of information in accordance with Council policies and procedures.

All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.